I'm currently using a Ryzen 5 5600 with 32GB of DDR4-3600 CL18 memory, an RX 6800, and a B450 motherboard. Modern games run well at 1440p with good settings and average frame rates, but demanding titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty, and other multiplayer games have noticeable 1% low drops and occasional stuttering. Improving those frame times is my main goal for now.
A nearby retailer has the Ryzen 5 5600X3D available for $180, and I estimate I could sell my current CPU for about $130, making the upgrade relatively inexpensive. I'm also considering the Ryzen 7 5700X3D or 5800X3D for their additional cores and threads, but I'm unsure whether they provide enough extra gaming performance to justify the cost. What price would make either one a better value than the 5600X3D, particularly for improving FPS lows? Also, would a Wraith Prism cooler be adequate, or should I buy a stronger air cooler?
4 Answers
The 5600X3D can make a noticeable difference in CPU-limited games. One comparison found roughly 15–30% better minimum frame times after moving to it, depending on the game and settings. The 5700X3D or 5800X3D only make more sense if you need their additional cores for productivity, streaming, or a very good sale price. For gaming alone, the cheaper six-core chip is usually the better deal.
The 5800X3D is difficult to justify if it costs nearly twice as much as the 5600X3D. The 5700X3D could be a reasonable middle ground if it falls close to the 5600X3D in price, but I wouldn’t pay a large premium just for two extra cores when the main goal is gaming frame times. The Wraith Prism should handle the 5600X3D, though a decent tower cooler will run quieter and give you more thermal headroom.
If you can actually get the 5600X3D for $180, that’s probably the obvious choice. The extra cache should help CPU-limited games and frame-time consistency, while the 5700X3D and 5800X3D generally offer only small gaming gains over it. I’d avoid paying around $300 for a 5800X3D unless the price drops substantially. A basic $25 tower cooler would be a worthwhile upgrade, although the Wraith Prism should be adequate for the 5600X3D.
That confirms what I was hoping to hear. I was mostly worried that the 5600X3D wouldn’t be enough for improving the lows, but the value still seems much better than spending heavily on the 5800X3D.
The 5800X3D is still a substantial upgrade from a regular 5600 in CPU-limited games, but its value depends heavily on the price. If you choose an eight-core X3D processor, use a good dual-tower air cooler; that should keep temperatures in the 70s under sustained gaming loads. For the inexpensive 5600X3D deal, though, the stock Prism is likely sufficient.
Would the 5600X3D still be suitable for 1440p gaming at 240Hz?